Reported by Roopak Goswami
Guwahati: India’s tea sector has registered a historic milestone, achieving its highest export volume and earnings to date during the 2025-26 financial year despite global trade uncertainties and geopolitical challenges in key markets.
Speaking at a press briefing at the Tea Board India headquarters in Kolkata on Tuesday, Deputy Chairman C. Murugan announced that the country exported a record 282.11 million kilograms of tea during the year. Export revenue also reached an all-time high of Rs 8,718.83 crore, reflecting a 12 per cent increase over the previous fiscal, while shipment volumes grew by 7 per cent.
The country’s tea production also touched a new peak, reaching 1,382.74 million kilograms, underscoring the sector’s strong performance across both production and export fronts.
Industry observers had expressed concerns over the impact of geopolitical tensions in West Asia, a region that remains one of the largest consumers of Indian tea. However, exporters responded by broadening their global footprint and increasing their presence in alternative markets.
According to Murugan, India successfully strengthened trade ties with emerging destinations such as China, Egypt, Canada and several North African nations. The diversification strategy helped cushion the industry against potential disruptions in traditional export markets and reduced dependence on a limited number of buyers.
Encouraged by the results, Tea Board India plans to intensify promotional campaigns in overseas markets while simultaneously boosting domestic awareness of Indian tea through extensive branding initiatives. Promotional activities are expected to be carried out across airports, railway stations, metro networks, Vande Bharat trains, educational institutions and print media platforms.
The Board also highlighted ongoing measures to address climate-related challenges affecting tea cultivation. Research organisations supported by the Tea Board are currently developing drought-resistant and climate-resilient tea varieties to help growers adapt to changing weather conditions.
In addition, financial support is being extended to tea producers for the adoption of irrigation facilities and other climate adaptation technologies aimed at improving sustainability and productivity.
Officials stressed that continued investment in replanting programmes, quality enhancement and modern agricultural practices will be crucial for maintaining India’s position in the highly competitive global tea market.
The record-breaking performance comes as a major boost for the industry, which continues to navigate rising input costs, climate-related pressures and evolving international trade dynamics.